Wednesday, January 29, 2020

No Public Record?!?!

Jan 6th LSCA sent in our annual Update to Council.  We outline all the issues and concerns observed and reported to us by our members. In communication with the Clerk for Lambton Shores I asked to be informed WHEN our concerns  would be before Council ie) which Agenda.  The answer shocked us. 

From the clerk: We do not put “all other correspondence” on the agenda.  “All other correspondence” is provided to Council in their weekly correspondence package and a member of Council can ask for inclusion on an upcoming agenda.  This practice has been in place since March 2017.


This means there is no public record of any concerns or issues from the public on any agenda and we find this disturbing. Below IS our public record. Stay tuned!

Jan 6th Letter:


Lambton Shores Community Association
P.O. Box 1016
Grand Bend, ON
N0M 1T0

 Jan 6,2020                                                                                                              

 To the Mayor, Members of Lambton Shores Council and CAO;
                                       
The Lambton Shores Community Association would like to thank Council for taking action and setting up new by-laws for the beach that were established to  cover some of the most outrageous activities that happen on the Beaches of Grand Bend.

Information from our members and concerned residents has resulted in some very well received activities from this season as well as some concerns.

The beach was much cleaner this year, staff worked longer hours, there were more frequents garbage removals and extra garbage pails.

The signage at the entrances to town was great however, some people were still missed and there were many things still on the beach that are prohibited.

The LED lights were good.  We suggest a solution to light pollution for residents living east of the beach would be a directional shade.

There are large numbers of people using Oak St. to get to the beach and large numbers of vehicles using Oak St. that concern us.  For the safety of all involved we believe a sidewalk or pathway for pedestrians is needed.

We were also pleased to hear that this year’s budget has money set aside for a real beach cleaner. The lack of a proper cleaner that can remove broken glass, plastics and cigarette butts, has been needed for a long time. 

This was a priority for many in this community beyond our organization and we thank Council for following through on this very important issue.

We are greatly concerned about the lifeguards having to do by-law enforcement or mitigation during their time on the beach.  Somehow this must be resolved before someone is injured or worse because the Lifeguards cannot get where they need to be.

Alcohol was everywhere! This is a huge issue that council needs to find a solution for. Our children used to get fined for stepping off private property with a single beer in their hands.  We do not understand the total failure to fine and arrest boozers on the beach!!

We believe without appropriate measures to solve the free for all on the beach, council and the municipality are failing in their responsibility to residents and visitors for a safe visit to our beaches.

High water caused a lack of other usable beaches this past season.  As a result, Grand Bend received a huge influx of visitors. This resulted large numbers of people on the North Beach.

It is obvious that one lifeguard stand on this beach is not adequate for the numbers of people that were present.  

We also think that council needs to consider seriously, the fact that the beaches of Grand bend were well over capacity. See attached photos.


In conclusion  we urge Council to act on the most egregious issues and  are requesting that council send us a written response with any decisions made.

Sincerely,

Sharon Weitzel per
Lambton Shores Community Association

Monday, January 6, 2020

Welcome to 2020!



We hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Holiday Season.  May 2020 hold good things for us all.

From your Lambton Shores  community Association